By Don Heckman
Los Angeles
July 20. (Wed.) John Daversa Big Band. Trumpeter Daversa’s adventurous, often unpredictable charts make his big band appearances into engaging musical events. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– June 21. (Thurs.) Bruce Forman Quartet. Guitarist/educator/novelist Forman is one of the jazz world’s true multi-hyphenates. Here he is, with his guitar, getting down to basics.Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400.
– June 21. (Thurs.) Kate Reid with the John Heard Trio. Singer/pianist Dr. Kate Reid, head of the jazz program at Cypress College also has a resume with gigs reaching from John Hendricks and Mark Murphy to Bobby McFerrin and Tito Puente. Charlie O’s. (818) 994-3058.
– June 21. (Thurs.) Maria de Barros. The musically eclectic de Barros reveals Cape Verdean influences in her Cesaria Evora-influenced style. But she also brings elements of Latin and international pop to performances rich with dynamic musical energy. Skirball Center. (310) 440-4500.
– July 22. (Fri.) Phil Upchurch and Sonya Maddox Upchurch. The Upchurch couple get together for some guitar and voice displays from Phil Upchurch’s new catalog of songs. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905.
– July 22. (Fri.) Peter Cetera. He’s probably best known for the hits he was instrumental in creating for the rock group Chicago. But singer/songwriter Cetera’s had a busy career since then, with Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy nominations. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– July 22. (Fri.) Gina Saputo. She still doesn’t have the visibility her impressive talents deserve, but Saputo continues to make a case for herself as one of the vocal standouts of her still youthful generation. Steamers. (714) 871-8000.
– July 22 & 23. (Fri. & Sat.) Dolly Parton. The Queen of Country and one of the inconic musical artists of the past few decades, makes an appearance in the only Southern California venue large enough for her celebrity stature. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
– July 22 – 24. (Fri. – Sun.) Kenny Burrell Quintet. Veteran guitarist and all around musical influence Burrell takes a break from this teaching chores at U.C.L.A. to celebrate his 80th birthday. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210.
– July 23. (Sat.) Don McLean. Writer of some of American song’s most memorable hits – “American Pie,” “Vincent,” “And I Love You So” among them – McLean makes one of his too rare Southland appearances. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.
– July 24. (Sun.) Global Soul. With Rickey Minor, Stevie Wonder, Rocky Dawuni, Sharon Jones, Janelle Monae and others.. Overlook the fact that its booked as one of the Bowl’s World Music events, and just sit back and enjoy the international reach of American soul music. Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000.
San Francisco
July 23 & 24. (Sat. & Sun.) Dee Dee Bridgewater. With her lush, dark sound, her irresistible on-stage energy, and her adventurous interpretations, a night with Dee Dee is always a night to remember. Yoshi’s San Francisco. (415) 655-5600.
New York
July 19 – 23. (Tues. – Sat.) Louis Hayes Quintet. “Cannonball Adderley Legacy” Drummer Hayes, a veteran of six years with the Adderley quintet, offers some authentic musical memories of Adderley’s unique music, with alto saxophonist Vincent Herring playing a key role. Birdland. (212) 581-3080.
– July 19 – 24. (Tues. – Sun.) The Tierney Sutton Band. Sutton’s extraordinary musicality resonates through every thing she sings, enhanced by her equally engaging ability to tell a story. She performs with Christian Jacob, piano, Kevin Axt, bass and Ralph Humphrey, drums. Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. (212) 258-9800.
July 19 – 24. (Tues. – Sun.) Fred Hersch Trio. Pianist Hersch, fully returned to action after some severe medical problems, continues to affirm his compelling vision of the jazz piano art. With John Hebert, bass and Eric McPherson, drums. Village Vanguard. (212) 255-4037.
Boston
– July 23. (Sat.) Gregory Porter. Grammy-nominated Porter’s lush sound and far-reaching style are bringing vitality to the still small coterie of male jazz vocal artists. Regatta Bar. (617) 395-7757.
Washington D.C.
– July 21 – 24. (Thurs. – Sun.) Cyrus Chestnut Trio. Versatile pianist Chestnut has a far ranging catalog of material to offer on any given gig – from spirituals and Elvis Presley tunes to straight ahead bebop. Expect to be well entertained. Blues Alley. (202) 337-4141.
London
– July 21 & 22. (Thurs. & Fri.) The James Carter Organ Trio. Saxophonist Carter’s ability to generate super heated improvisational energies is the perfect stimulus for the jazz organ trio format. He performs with Gerard Gibbs, B-3 organ and Leonard King, drums. Ronnie Scott’s. 020 7439 0747.
Paris
– July 21. (Thurs.) David Krakauer and Klezmer Madness. Clarinetist Krakauer continues on his quest to blend traditional klezmer music with everything from pop and jazz to soul, funk and beyond. New Morning. 01 45 23 51 41.
Tierney Sutton photo by Tony Gieske.
The International Review of Music 